The second major storm system in two weeks contributed to excessive runoff and high water over a period of several days in parts of southern Gila County.

Event Narrative

About 500 people were stranded in their Tonto Basin homes because of flooded roads and adjacent areas around Tonto Creek. The largest rainfall amounts from this series of storms exceeded 3 inches in some spots. The river gauge at the Tonto Creek site near Roosevelt peaked at over 12 feet on the 8th. Rainfall continued into the week of December 10th, prolonging the runoff and keeping FR470 through Tonto Basin closed for several days. Globe received 1.90, and Miami had 2.72 inches from the 8th through the 12th.